Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
07:29

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

Homocysteine-lowering therapy does not affect inflammatory markers of atherosclerosis in patients with stable

Ø Bleie1, A G Semb, H Grundt

  • 1Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. oyvind.bleie@helse-bergen.no

Journal of Internal Medicine
|July 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin therapy reduced homocysteine levels but did not impact key inflammatory markers linked to atherosclerosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Inflammation Studies

Background:

  • Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) is a recognized risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with inflammatory processes.
  • Inflammatory markers play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of B-vitamin therapy on inflammatory markers associated with atherosclerosis.
  • To assess whether homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin therapy influences inflammation in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, double-blind, randomized 2x2 factorial clinical trial involving 90 patients with suspected CAD.
  • Patients received daily oral treatment with folic acid/vitamin B12/vitamin B6, folic acid/vitamin B12, vitamin B6 alone, or placebo for 6 months.
  • Blood samples were analyzed for tHcy and inflammatory markers (neopterin, sCD40L, IL-6, CRP) before and after treatment.

Main Results:

  • Homocysteine levels were significantly reduced by 33% in patients receiving folic acid/B12 (groups A and B) (P < 0.001).
  • tHcy showed significant positive associations with neopterin (r = 0.49, P < 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.29, P = 0.01).
  • B-vitamin treatments did not induce significant changes in neopterin, sCD40L, IL-6, or CRP levels (P >= 0.14).

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine-lowering therapy using B-vitamins in patients with stable CAD does not alter inflammatory markers associated with atherogenesis.
  • The inability of B-vitamins to reverse inflammatory processes may contribute to the negative outcomes observed in secondary B-vitamin intervention trials for CVD.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...